Hey there readers, I'm back with another chapter at hand. I thoroughly enjoyed the reviews, even if a good amount was outraged. Don't worry about last chapter; I had a reason for it. In fact, read on and see what I mean.

And to Tristan76, I had some of those things in mind bro! Good deduction on your analysis of the story, but as this continues, I hope I pass your expectations! It's nice to see an avid reader of my stories.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, nor do I own Bleach...or Samurai Champloo for that matter. And you know, I'm alright with that…

Chapter 4 – Nothing Can Be Explained

Naruto quietly walked to the Shinigami Academy with a distant smile. He was rather excited to graduate and be put on a squad. More importantly, he can get away from these children and have some action back in his existence.

Time had done him well as he now stood at a solid six foot. His hair was fashioned like his father from his past life, Minato Namikaze; wild and spiky with two bangs of his hair jetting down, framing the sides of his face. His face had become a bit more angular as his body was muscled and defined, a testament to his hard work in training himself.

It had been three and a half years since he started going to the school, learning the ways of the Shinigami. This year was his final year, graduating two and a half years early. Apparently Yoruichi vouched for him on the matter of him being in the advanced classes, saying that he did great for someone who didn't have any prior training. Yamamoto agreed with her, allowing him to be placed in the advanced classes after watching the test from a hell butterfly he placed inside the examination room that day.

The former sage was moved to the advanced class within that week, thanking the feline fiercely with a rather warm embrace. Unfortunately for them, Kisuke and Soifon happened to be in the vicinity. Naruto was beaten to the ground by Soifon while Kisuke mercilessly teased Yoruichi about the blush on her face from the hug. The scientific captain suffered the same fate as his fellow blond, having an intimate familiarity with the ground.

As he moved through the classes Naruto did not show off his skills, instead doing the absolute minimum that was required of him. The shinobi had taken his upbringing to heart, which made most students underestimate him. He kept to himself during his time there, his demeanor being more reserved. However, he made friends with a white haired child named Hitsugaya Toushiro, a hailed prodigy within the school. Another person he befriended was Matsumoto Rangiku, a gorgeous buxom woman that was a heartthrob amongst the Soul Society and lieutenant of Squad Ten.

Hitsugaya graduated two years ago, moving into the tenth squad with Rangiku. Meeting her was rather humorous as it was embarrassing, her compliments and advances to him almost daunting...almost. "I wonder what they're up to…" The golden-haired man ventured in his thoughts. "Knowing them, Rangiku is probably teasing and annoying Toushiro somehow." A small chuckle escaped his lips as he found the thought amusing.

The ex-human began to think of his past. True to the feline captain's words, he began to lose his memories, finding it more difficult to remember his past life. What he could not forget, was the carnage the final war caused, constantly showing in his dreams. Many nights he had trained until unconsciousness just to avoid them. The shinobi's mood dampened by the thought.

Naruto however did create an autobiography of sorts, taking a whole year to write everything down. His techniques, hand seals and all the jutsu he remembered, his hardships, the people he knew and loved…everything. He even drew the people and their faces, desperate to keep his memories of everyone. The journal that he wrote the autobiography on was rather large, keeping it hidden safely.

Naruto, while losing much of his memories, did not lose all of them. He did remember his techniques still, along with his fighting abilities. The blond was still trying to recreate some of his jutsu, mainly his Kage Bushin. Kami knows how much he missed that technique. The blond knew there had to be a way, seeing Soifon perform a technique that required hand seals a few times. On the upside of things, he was able to recreate the Rasengan again.

He knew he could make shuriken and kunai maneuver in ways that would kill someone without them realizing it. Setting traps was natural to him, able to make someone go through some serious humiliation with ease as no one could pin it on him…like two weeks ago when he got Soifon with some wires, sake, and feathers. Kami was she pissed…

A vulpine grin graced the golden-haired man's features from the memory. "I'm glad to see my evasion skills haven't dulled. I'd be a bloody smear all over the pavement with how furious she was…" He continued walking, almost to his destination. Anticipation was on his countenance as today would be the day that he would get his zanpakuto.

Naruto gazed at the morning sky with glazed eyes. Over the years, he had experienced the feeling as if someone was with him. Sometimes when he was alone, he would hear a feminine voice, soothing him when he had his days of struggling with the loss of his loved ones. He would call to it every time he heard it, but it would never answer back. There were times where he would just sit in solitude on top of the roof and he could feel someone embracing him. He really couldn't explain it, but it was those moments that he felt most at peace…

He was shaken from his thoughts when he finally made it to the school, students moving from place to place as the morning began. The golden-haired man watched his peers for a moment, yet again feeling separated from everyone. It was strange, but he felt better with it being this way. He embraced it.

Walking inside, occasionally dodging a rushing student or two, the shinobi began to think of how Unohana was doing. During the passing years they began to talk and quickly became fast friends, their relationship growing in depth as they became close.

Naruto really enjoyed his time with the medic captain, hanging out with her when she had the time. She was a great friend, rather insightful and caring as she would be there for him when he needed to talk. The fourth division captain had her own share of problems as well; sharing them when she felt she needed a second opinion or just to get it off her chest. There were a few times when the pair would just sit in silence, feeling that them being in each others company was enough. The blond knew that he harbored some feelings for her, finding it more difficult to push the desires of something more between them aside whenever he was around her. But to be truthful, she was not the only one he felt that way for. He inwardly sighed to himself.

Why did he have to be so complicated?

Naruto reached his destination, halting his current thoughts. He took his usual seat on the side of the fourth row, tuning out his surroundings as he began to meditate. Slowly, he began to go deeper within the depths of his mind.

The shinobi felt something different this time, almost like he was entering into the seal within his mind back when he was alive. His azure eyes opened to see himself staring at grassy ruins that reminded him of Konoha with the morning sun washing over the landscape. It was a sight to behold, feeling a sense of familiarity of the surrounding area. "Have…have I been here before?" He wondered aloud with a surprised tone.

"You…you're here…" Naruto heard the familiar female voice that had been there for him over the years. He turned around slowly…

His eyes snapped open as the teacher thoroughly announced his presence loudly. The former sage contained his anger, refraining from weaving a tapestry of colorful vocabulary form the interruption.

"Alright now, settle down. Today is the day where you all will receive your zanpakuto!" Ecstatic murmurs were all throughout the classroom. Even Naruto felt excited as a grin graced his features. "The process is tedious, so it will take the whole school day. We will stop for lunch and then finish with the remaining students." The instructor of the class smirked.

"Line up and let's get started."

The class was taken to a large room, everyone able to fit with room to spare. Naruto looked around, lightly admiring the room. He couldn't help the feeling that they were being watched. His shinobi instincts led him to a high wall near the top of the room over the other door as his gaze was cautious as it was curious.

Behind the wall that the golden-haired man stared at, the captain-general and the captains of every division stood, watching the aspiring shinigami below them. The captain's line up was the same with the exception of the 5th Division, whose lieutenant was filling in for his captain, Sosuke Aizen, and 11th Division, their captain having lost a duel to the death with Zaraki Kenpachi.

The fifth division lieutenant was of average height, having brown hair on his head. His eyes were black and had a set of brown-brimmed glasses, giving the man an intelligent visage. He seemed rather kind, willing to help with anything.

The eleventh division captain was large in stature, his hair in long spikes with bells on the end of them. He wore a special eye patch to help maintain his spiritual pressure. He was tanned, having a vertical scar on his left eye.

His look seemed bored and uninterested until he spotted the shinobi staring into the glass that they were in. A grin began to form on his face. "Well, looks like one of our kids here knows something's up here." He spoke lowly.

Yoruichi grinned lightly as she looked at the golden-haired man with a hidden undertone of something else, responding, "Somehow, I'm not surprised."

Unohana gazed gently gazed at the former sage as she spoke softly, "He is quite perceptive."

Yamamoto gave no visible reaction, but he was certainly surprised. "I suppose being trained in the way of the ninja will increase one's awareness level like that." The elder thought with a slight smile on his face.

Aizen discreetly narrowed his eyes at the shinobi. "Hm…is this the soul that was from that dying world?" The lieutenant continued to watch the shinobi. It was difficult to keep track of Naruto over the years, despite his position. He hardly had information on him, seeing that his grades were minimally passing. The brown-haired man was disturbed by this. "Just who are you?"

Naruto kept his eyes on the area, searching for any clues that something was there before the teacher called the students. "We will call you in alphabetical order, so when you name is called," The man pointed to the door on the other side of the room that had two shinigami standing on the sides of the door frame. "You will go to this room here." Everyone nodded. The instructor smiled. "Good." He called the first student and they both went inside the room.

Hours went by and students had gone in and out, each receiving their own zanpakuto with great joy. Naruto had decided to sit in a corner, knowing that this process would take more than a minute. It would be a while before they called Uzumaki, after all. His eyes were closed, appearing to be resting when in truth, he was meditating. If only he wasn't interrupted last time, dammit.

Yoruichi watched the former human. She could never get a clear read on him throughout the years of knowing him. In her cat form, she would often see him like this. Funny enough, he didn't know that it was her. He just…accepted her, never questioning it. She learned a lot about him, but yet again it raised more questions for her. "I wonder what's on his mind…" The purple-haired woman thought to herself.

Lunch came and went for Naruto, eating his meal in peace before going back into his corner, falling into a very light sleep. More time passed before he awoke to hear, "Uzumaki Naruto." The said shinigami stood and stretched, feeling lightly refreshed from the nap. He scanned the room to find no one there, him being the last one in the room.

The shinobi walked to the door quietly, wondering what would happen in the zanpakuto process. He opened the door, following the instructor's words as the door closed behind them. The captains walked to the other side of the hidden room, wanting to see what the golden-haired man would get like they did with the rest of the students.

Unohana smiled softly as she spoke, "He was patient in waiting. I thought he would be more…excited."

Yoruichi gave a feline smile as she responded, "One would think. It looks like another thing to add in figuring him out I suppose." Both smiled lightly in agreement.

"I hope the wait was worth it." The stealth captain looked to her left to see Muguruma Kensei next to her, watching the former sage in rapt attention.

The purple-haired captain turned back to watching her azure-eyed friend, full of confidence. "It will be." Her golden eyes glistened as she focused on his form as she spoke softly to herself, "I'm sure of it."

Aizen smiled, deciding to speak. "I believe Shihoin-san is right. I wonder what he has in store for us…" He trailed off, a harmless smile on his face.

The chocolate-skinned woman narrowed her golden eyes at the smiling captain ever so slightly. There was something about the lieutenant, but she could not figure out what it was. It didn't exactly sit right with her. She would have to ask the captain, Hirako Shinji, about his subordinate later on. She turned away from the man, returning her focus on the shinobi with reserved anticipation.

Naruto looked around the place he was in, feeling a spiritual weight all around. The instructor walked to the far wall and grabbed something, bringing it back with him. "Alright Uzumaki." The teacher started, bringing a softly glowing orb about the size of a volleyball to the forefront. "Pour your reiatsu into this orb and maintain a steady flow. To help your focus, think of what you wish to use your zanpakuto for." The whisker-cheeked man nodded in understanding.

The past jinchuuriki took the orb; the orb pulsed once in his hands as he felt the warmth from it. Unlike the past students he paused for a moment, unknowingly getting everyone's attention. He began to reminiscence of what he remembered of his former life, from the good experiences to the destruction of the Elemental Nations. His mind then went to his life as a shinigami, meeting the different people in his life.

"I…I never want to see any of my friends here die…like everyone else did in my past life…" Resolve glistened in his eyes as he thought to himself, "I want the power to protect them from the fate that I suffered! I want to protect my precious people!" He pushed his reiatsu through the orb as the spiritual pressure began to weigh throughout the entire room with intensity. The orb began to glow fiercely as the captains of the Soul Society stared on in shock.

The leaders of the Seireitei felt the spiritual pressure crash through the room, some of the lower leveled captains beginning to sweat from the sheer force. "How does a child possess this much power already?" Ukitake asked, not taking his eyes off of the spectacle.

Aizen said nothing, narrowing his eyes once more. "He's been hiding his true potential…" He thought calmly. Kenpachi grinned in a bloodthirsty manner, more than enjoying the prospect of having a new sparring partner.

Urahara and Yoruichi tuned the others out, completely focused on the scene before them. "Something feels different about his reiatsu…but what?" The kunoichi-like captain wondered.

Yamamoto felt the same question run through his head. But unlike the others, he also felt…something dark expelling from him. The old man took to silence, not voicing anything out. He would ask the shinobi about that later.

The light faded gradually before fully stopping. Steaming from Naruto's left hand was a nodachi inside its sheath, the sword cover having a black chain that went from the top to half way down the weapon casing. The ninja figured he could strap his zanpakuto across his body to carry it around.

The blade was beautiful in its own right, not flaunting with intricate patterns but rather graceful with its simple design. Its sheath was a dark crimson, rust-colored wrapping near the top. The handle of the blade had black wrappings crossing each other to form a diamond pattern with the diamonds being rust orange. The guard was a pure white, having three swirling clouds forming the cross guard. Despite the sword being a traditionally two-handed weapon, it was incredibly light as well as sturdy.

Naruto felt the blade calling him, having his right hand grip the handle. He pulled the blade out, showing the black and silver gleam of the weapon. The zanpakuto was deathly sharp, he noted. Still…there was something else…

Naruto slung his sheath on his back with the chain his sheath provided. He held the zanpakuto in a rather endearing manner before something…clicked in his mind. The blond shinigami spun his zanpakuto expertly before the blade separated in half, becoming two. The instructor, along with the rest of the spectators, was shocked. The shinobi gazed at his zanpakuto in admiration. "It can split into two. That's a deadly feature…" A small grin graced his features. "No one would suspect it." The blond could see the possibilities. With the right style, he would be difficult in swordsmanship alone.

As he continued his evaluation of his new weapon, the former sage connected his new nodachi together. It felt right to be in his hands. This was the feeling he longed for, any other blade he used causing him to grow irate for unknown reasons. Naruto gave a genuine smile; finally feeling the sense of oneness with his zanpakuto.

Yoruichi took note of the shinobi's reaction to his newly acquired weapon. A soft smile graced her beautiful features. "His smile…he seems so content…" She would see that expression after their spars, which had become sparse since her duties constantly interfered with the two from spending time with each other. His fierce and enduring nature seemed to have paid off, obtaining such a strong zanpakuto. She couldn't help herself as she smiled, happy for her friend.

A captain stood next to the second division leader. His hair was a large fro, his skin brown. He wore dark glasses over his eyes, making it hard to read him at times. Captain of the seventh division, Aikawa Love, commented, "I think I'll keep an eye out for this one."

Another captain known as Otoribashi Rose, whose blond hair was wavy, walked next to the black man as his purple eyes twinkled with interest. "He reminds me of the character Jin from the manga Samurai Champloo. He has the cool and collected way about himself." He said, watching the shinigami below.

Love listened to his fellow captain, shaking his head in disagreement. "I don't think so. If anything, I think he reminds me of Mugen. He has this fierce and wild feel to him." The shades-wearing man spoke, moving his gaze to Rose.

The two got into a brief debate about it before the seventh division captain slapped the third division captain over his head, making the others around the sweatdrop.

Unohana could see the peace the ex-human sacrifice had while holding his zanpakuto. She smiled, having seen this side of him before over the years. The whisker-cheeked warrior had a special place in her heart, seeing how often they would meet and how he ended in her work place from training himself unconscious time after time again. Watching how his resolve drove him was inspiring to her. "You're one step closer to your goal now, Naruto." She thought, fully supporting him.

Naruto clutched his sword and spun it a few more times before finally sliding it in its sheath. The teacher smiled. "Remember, the zanpakuto is a part of you. Take care of it." The shinobi remained silent for a moment.

"Her…" This gained everyone's attention. The ninja looked up with a grin. "Don't ask me why…but my zanpakuto is a 'her'. Not an 'it'." This statement was rewarded with a chuckle from the teacher as well as from the Sotaicho hidden in the upper room.

The blond shinigami turned around, making his way to leave the room before he looked high above the door. Silence reigned for a moment. "I swear something's up there…" He mumbled before leaving the room, walking to his dorm room.

Unohana's blue eyes followed the golden-haired shinobi's form as he walked away. She giggled to herself, finding his deduction rather amusing. "You will go far Naruto." She thought fondly, hoping that he visited her sometime soon. The head medic began to walk with the rest of the captains out of the watch room.

Urahara smirked as he watched his fellow blond exit. "That kid is something else." He replied, following his peers as they departed from the hidden watch room. "His reiatsu though…" He wondered to himself.

Yoruichi looked at her long-time friend. "Kisuke?"

His olive green eyes were calculative, his expression showing that his pondering of his thoughts. "His spiritual energy…it feels…denser. Denser than everyone else." The second division captain listened and thought to herself for a moment.

"Denser reiatsu?" She thought back to when Naruto used a Shunpo. "Is that what makes his Shunpo the way it is?" Excitement made its way to her features. She had a spar later on this week with him. "Maybe I can find out then…" But for now, she decided to visit him later this evening.

Aizen overheard Kisuke's theory on the shinobi's reiatsu. "Denser reiatsu? Why? What would make him have denser reiatsu?" The spectacled shinigami wondered. The second-in-command knew one thing for sure.

He would keep his eyes on Naruto.

Naruto walked to his dorm room in no particular rush, reflecting on his purpose of what he wanted to use his weapon for before reaching his destination. He discreetly scanned the area and found no one around him, jumping to the rooftop silently with ease. The former sage took his new blade from hanging across his body, stretching rather animal-like after he did so. The shinobi slid his upper garments off of his being before sitting down, enjoying the light warm breeze that the wind carried. He set his zanpakuto in his lap as he gazed at the weapon once more. His azure eyes closed, feeling the presence of his sword.

"Stay strong…and cherish your bonds between those you love." Naruto could hear those words in his mind. He opened his eyes to the setting sun before him, eyes glazed in remorse. "Yuugao…" He whispered softly. The former sage could still see the loving expression on her face when she was killed. His hand gripped his zanpakuto tighter in resolve to protect everyone he called precious.

The golden-haired man stayed silent, sensing someone behind him. "Naruto." The shinobi's gaze became softer as he continued to watch the environment.

"Yoruichi…" The second division captain took a seat next to him, watching him.

She gazed at his weapon, looking at it in depth. "A nodachi? I always imagined you with something else, like daggers or something."

Naruto chuckled. "I didn't know what to expect, but I love it. Unlike what her length implies, she's very light."

He could feel his zanpakuto lightly warm up in his hands briefly as the goddess of flash giggled lightly. "How do you know that your zanpakuto is a female?"

The former sage looked at his companion's golden eyes and shrugged. "I just know."

Yoruichi shook her head playfully. "Well in any case, she's beautiful."

Naruto smiled, holding his nodachi in a tender manner. "I'm sure she enjoys the compliment. Thanks." He looked at her with a warm smile that made her smile back dotingly. "So how was today for you?"

The second division captain gazed into the distance. "It was…surprising to say to the least." The shinobi remained quiet as she did not elaborate on the subject. Her gaze became more solemn as he observed her. His concern rose.

"Yoruichi-chan?" The said woman was shaken from her thoughts, looking back to see her close friend's azure eyes bearing into hers. "What's the matter?" He asked, unknowingly moving closer to her. A ghost of a smile played upon her lips, finding his concern refreshing. It was welcoming to talk to someone that could talk to you, not intimidated or having ulterior motives.

"Nothing, just…" Yoruichi looked away as she stood up, watching as the sky as its transition from twilight was nearly finished. Naruto watched her with a soft gaze. She turned back to the blond, holding her hand out. He accepted it, feeling her help him to a standing position. Her golden irises locked on the former sage's own pair. "Tell me...what were your thoughts when you were getting your zanpakuto? What purpose do you want to use it for?" The ex-human was lightly startled from her questions, becoming rather distant as he got over the initial shock.

The golden-haired warrior looked away from her. "My zanpakuto's purpose…my purpose…" The second division captain's gaze became softer as she listened. His eyes spoke volume as it was filled with determination. "Protect those who are precious to me."

Yoruichi stared back at him for a moment, finding truth in his eyes. The violet-haired woman narrowed her eyes as she quietly gazed at him. "But there's more to it, isn't there?" She discerned as she whispered to him. Naruto kept silent, listening to her as she continued. "Just don't lose yourself, okay?"

Naruto gave a grin and a thumbs up as he softly responded, "Promise of a lifetime."

The pair remained silent for a moment, Yoruichi pushing her serious side away as a playful grin made it's way to her face. "Be ready for our spar in four days." Yoruichi said, feeling things returning to normalcy.

Naruto smiled lightly, "I should be telling you that, captain."

She smirked as she shook her head. "Whatever. Just make sure you're ready by then." She replied, lightly laughing. The shinobi placed his upper clothing back on and sheathed his zanpakuto, knowing that their conversation was coming to a close.

Yoruichi turned and began walking away before she suddenly stopped. "Oh and before I forget…" The whiskered-cheek fighter looked up to see the captain unexpectedly appear directly in front of him before he felt a soft pair of lips tenderly impact against his cheek. She pulled away, softly gazing at the former sage with a genuine smile adorning her beautiful face. "Congratulations." She disappeared without a trace, leaving him there alone. A small grin graced his features as he now looked at the newly risen moon for a moment. He turned away and walked, making his way to a training ground.

What he did not see was a figure that stood a couple buildings away from him, staring at his form for a few moments longer before disappearing into the night.

A few weeks had passed since his acquisition of his zanpakuto, throwing himself into training harder than before. He could feel himself bonding with his blade day by day, giving all of his efforts into knowing his weapon. The shinobi made himself get accustomed to the blade's length and weight to the point where he could attack and defend with sharp precision. His fighting style developed quite well, keeping his unpredictability at its highest as he focused on speed and power to make sure that his opponents could not read his movements before he defeated them.

Naruto looked at his zanpakuto, smiling lightly. "We're almost there…maybe soon we can finally speak to each other…" He gripped his nodachi, sliding it over his body before he made his way to the Shingami Academy once more.

The morning air filled the environment, relaxing him as he continued on his path. He was particularly sore that morning so the fresh air was welcoming. Naruto winced as he stretched to loosen his body. A content sigh escaped his lips as he thought about his plans for the day. "We finally go to the real world today. Who knows what the place looks like now… " He laughed lightly, his expression slowly changed into a withdrawn one with a glaze in his eyes.

"How long has it been?" He wondered to himself. A wave of sorrow ached in his heart as he knew that it would never be the same to him. His own world was eradicated. "And it doesn't help that I have this trepidation about going in the first place…"

The former sage began to lose himself in his thoughts, not focusing on where he walked to. His footsteps finally halted, the golden-haired man seeing himself in front of the Fourth Squadron's entrance. "What am I doing…here?" He asked himself. The answer could not be found. His feet just…took him here. "Maybe I should go see Unohana?" He did leave his dorm rather early this morning. The academy didn't start for another hour.

"Uzumaki-kun?" Hearing his name, he turned to see the medic captain staring at him in confusion at the gate. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

Naruto gave a sheepish smile. "I'm not sure…" He looked down for a moment. "I don't know... I'm just...here."

Unohana smiled gently, finding his expression cute. "Perhaps you want to talk?" She asked, moving towards him. The shinobi remained silent. She stood in front of him, waiting patiently for his words.

A vulpine smile formed on his features as his daring side emboldened his next words. "Maybe I just wanted to see you, Hana-chan." The healer stared at the blond, feeling heat rise to her cheeks. How long has it been since anyone called her that?

Naruto laughed softly, regaining her attention. "I don't know…maybe I did need to see you." His eyes grew more solemn, though she could still the mirth dancing within his eyes. She listened once more as she watched him with a softer gaze.

"The class has to go to the outside world today to kill a few hollows as a test." She nodded, allowing him to continue. "And something feels…off. I can't explain it, but I get the feeling that something will go wrong…"

Unohana nodded in understanding. "You should be fine. They have full-fledged shinigami to accompany you all as a fail-safe." Naruto looked at her, finding comfort within her gaze.

The shinobi smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, you're right. Maybe I'm thinking on this too much. Thanks." He looked at the dawning sky, feeling peace for the moment.

The fourth squad captain with a warm smile. "No need to thank me." She turned away a little, continuing on. "I talking to you. Besides," Her eyes shine with a light in them. "It's been awhile since your last visit. I was beginning to miss you." A genuine smile graced the shinobi's features, her comment warming his spirit.

The shinobi turned slightly, indicating that he was about to head to the school. "Well I have to go, but I'll come back later to tell you how everything went."

The long-haired woman nodded. "Please do. I'm rather curious as to how your day will turn out."

The former sage nodded, grinning as he gave a thumbs up. "No problem!" The golden-haired began to depart, waving his hand in the air. "See ya later, Unohana-chan." The leader of the healing squad smiled warmly, watching his retreating form. She began to move on to start her own agenda, her gaze becoming concerned. She hoped he was wrong about today.

Naruto made it to his class on time, having a few minutes to spare even. He took his normal seat and looked out of the window with his thoughts on different things, slowly making its way towards what he was going to do during school. "Going back to the real world…" A soft sigh escaped his lips. All he would ever think about is his old home. His fist tightened up in anger with himself.

Why am I second guessing this? I'm not afraid of going back, am I?" His concerned azure eyes glared at the morning sky.

Was his past becoming a hindrance?

The shinobi closed his eyes calmly, tuning out the excited students as he tried to converse with his zanpakuto once again. "I don't know why…I can't shake this Kami-forsaken feeling. It's only getting worse…" He thought. Silence was his answer. He expected that, but that never stopped him from sharing what was on his mind to the spirit inside his nodachi. He was feeling anxious and a second opinion would be welcoming at this point…

"Alright students!" The teacher finally decided to start the class. "Today we will be going to the real world to test you and see if you truly have what it takes to become a shinigami!" The class had various reactions, knowing that this would be a crucial point in their spiritual lives. The master ignored them and finished; "Now you may partner up into groups but three is the limit. Line up after you're done. We will be going to the gate to the real world. The requirements will be explained when we are there." The students nodded, getting up as they already knew who they wanted to partner up with.

The former sage stood up, watching everyone pair up excitedly. He sighed in anticipation, ready to get the test over with. The dark feeling escaped him for the moment, a slight smile coming on to his face. He stood behind a group of three, getting into the line as everyone else finally assembled. The instructor led the class, making their way to the gate.

Five minutes had passed, finally making it to their destination. Naruto watched his surroundings, seeing that a few full-fledged shinigami were there with them. "This must be the back-up that Unohana-chan was speaking of." He thought, returning his focus back on his teacher. "Now in order for you to pass, you must kill three hollows." The instructor began. Everyone nodded as they listened. "Should you be in a group, you may use teamwork, but each of you must have a hollow die by your hand." The teacher chuckled for a moment. "We will be watching you, so do your best." The class began to tense as they began to get ready.

Naruto shined in determination, the fear trying to tighten his hold on him. His mind was in turmoil. He had not moved on from his former world. Would he not be accepting to this next world? Self-doubt began to set in before he heard a whisper… "Keep your head up, gaki. I believe in you…" Time seem to stop for him as he remember those words. Peace began to set in before confidence coursed through his being.

The teacher nodded to two shinigami at the portal to the real world. The gate began to shine brilliantly, its brightness taking over the insides of the gate. The full shinigami that were there took off into the gate, going to their posts. The instructor gave a hard gaze to his students before barking out, "Begin!" Everyone entered, disappearing like the group before them.

Naruto finally made it to the other side, finding that he was in an industrial-like environment that the full moon illuminated upon. He pushed his senses out to find nearby hollows. "None so far…"The blond man thought as he vanished to a rooftop, waiting for when the hollows decided to show up. He recognized that it wouldn't be long, having all of this spiritual pressure in one area. The shinobi knew it was only a matter of time.

The dark pulses began to show at a slow pace, the sounds of battle beginning to ring throughout the region. A large hollow appeared behind Naruto, trying to take him by surprise. Before the creature knew it, its mask was sliced in half, making it scream out as it vanished in a dark mist. The shinobi used his Shunpo to travel away, his intentions as a predator.

He dropped in an alley, going to the opening he saw at the end. His eyes narrowed, feeling that he was followed. He waited until he neared the end of the alley way before he heard a hissing sound. He moved to his left, sticking to the wall with his reiatsu like second nature as he avoided a claw that crashed into the pavement. He saw a centipede-like hollow glaring at him angrily with its red eyes. The creature pursued, swinging at the blond as he dodged.

The building that they were on began to crumble, breaking apart at an accelerated rate. Naruto's eyes widened as another hollow rushed to him, tripping his balance on falling debris as he fell on the ground. The centipede hollow wasted no time, encircling him as it tried to attack with its legs fervently as it did so. The shinobi began to block and parry with his nodachi, eyes narrowing as he saw it beginning to slow down from fatigue. The former sage saw it as an opening and attacked, flashing out of the hollow's trap as he moved on to the next hollow. The centipede hollered in agony as white slashes made themselves known as they continued its onslaught until the final slash was made, striking at its mask. The hollow died, disappearing completely into the wind.

Naruto clashed his zanpakuto into the ape-like hollow, gritting his teeth from the strength behind the blow. He backed away as the hollowed gave chase. The ninja planted his foot on the ground firmly before rushing towards him, his nodachi in a reverse grip as his right hand had its index and middle finger standing out in position. "Let's see if you can handle this!" He said intensely as reiatsu gathered in his fingertips at a phenomenal rate, forming a small glowing white orb. "Hado #4: Byakurai!" He called, the lightning plowing through the hollow's mask with complete ease. It didn't have a chance to scream as its existence was ended.

The shinobi stood in silence as he sighed, deciding to make his way to the front gate. He heard a scream, rushing over to help before…he felt it.

Heavy spiritual pressure impeded on the area. The ex-human sacrifice looked up to see the sky tearing apart, hollows dropping through as a legion. A roar came from the hole as a giant hollow forced its way through as it crashed on the ground, the spiritual pressure thickening at an alarming rate.

"W-what is that?" A student asked, pure fear taking over his face.

A full shinigami narrowed his eyes as he answered, "A Menos Grande! How did they even get in?" Naruto knew the graveness of the situation, his grip tightening on his zanpakuto.

A voice sounded out throughout the area. "Students, head back to the gate! Shinigami guards, protect the gate and escort the students as safe as you can! Reinforcements are coming as soon as possible! Get to the gate!"

Pandemonium was all around as it begun to look like a warzone. Naruto ran to the gate, killing hollow after hollow. He heard a group a few buildings away from him, completely in distress. Without hesitation, he took off to their position as he ended a few hollow's lives in the process.

Naruto landed to see a man lying protectively over a girl with a deep gash on his back about to take a killing blow from a praying mantis-like hollow. The hollow seemed to be laughing as it swung down to impale the two.

The hollow screamed to the heavens as blood splattered on the couple's form. The male noticed and turned, seeing the mantis' arm missing as a golden-haired man stood with blood over his left side, sliding over his zanpakuto's length. Both of the students finally stood, shocked speechless.

Without turning away from the hollow, Naruto asked, "Can you run with the wound on your back?"

The male student was startled and winced, answering, "Y-yeah, it's not on my spine or anything."

Naruto nodded and continued. "The gate is about a half a mile east from here. The shinigami guards are there protecting the gate so there shouldn't be much of a problem. Protect each other and you should make it."

The girl beside the wounded student stared at the shinobi in fear. "What about you? You'll die! Aren't you afraid?"

The shinobi glanced at her quivering form, comforting her in the midst of the frenzy. "My will to live is what drives me past my fear." He focused back on the hollow regenerating his arm, separating his nodachi vertically and taking a stance. "Now hurry and leave!"

The two nodded, knowing their presence was not needed at this point. "Thank you!" The male student said before he and the girl vanished.

The hollow lashed out his new arm before it was killed with no hesitation. Naruto began to go on a killing spree, trying to think of a way to protect everyone else and buy time for them to get to the gate. "How could I get their attention?" He thought as he stabbed a hollow in his mask before calling, "Hado #31: Shakkaho!"

A large red blast shot from his hand, eradicating twelve hollows in a single sweep. It didn't matter as more came as replacement. Naruto noticed that and remembered that they were attracted to reiatsu, like when he first died… Realization dawned in his eyes as he cut down another hollow.

There was his plan.

The shinobi ran away from the gate, going deeper within the hollow territory. He stopped after about ten miles. "This should be far enough..." He said, beheading a spider-like hollow. Hearing a rather large hollow being killed far to his right, he turned to see the hollow's killer, the Menos Grande, who was more than halfway towards the gate even at its slow pace. Naruto's eyes widened in fear. His thoughts began to flashback to his loved ones as anger began to set fire within his heart.

He flipped to a rooftop and began to set free his reiatsu. It began to encircle him as he began to charge up, many hollows turning their attention to him. "Focus on me you gigantic bastard!" He said yelled as the spiritual pressure around the whole area doubled.

The shinobi fought off many a hollow, taking some blows to his midsection. His thoughts were on the final war he fought in, killing person after person to live. His bloodlust began to boil as he began to move like his profession in his lifetime. "You will all die!" He raged before roaring in an animalistic manner, stopping everyone in their tracks as the Menos Grande paused. It was almost at the gate but it could feel strong reiatsu in the opposite direction. It roared, beginning to walk towards the discharging pillar of reiatsu.

A shinigami looked on in unadulterated astonishment as he watched the Menos Grande leave. "Where is it going?" He asked as he blasted a hollow through its mask.

His squad teammate gritted her teeth as she taken another hollow's life. "There's someone over there emitting a huge amount of reiatsu!"

The man grimaced as he could finally concentrate on the source of power. "Whoever it is, I pray they hold out…" The male shinigami frowned grimly.

"We really need the reinforcements."

Meanwhile in the Soul Society, two shinigami ran towards the first division. Turning a corner, they ran into Yoruichi and Soifon, crashing as the master and student dodged them. The chocolate-skinned woman scowled somewhat.

"Watch where you're going… And why are you in such a rush anyway?" The second division captain asked, annoyed with the pair before her.

The taller man gazed at her with pure urgency in his voice. "Lady Shihoin! There is a disaster with the class that went to the real world today!"

Yoruichi narrowed her eyes. "What disaster?"

The other male replied frantically, "A hollow breakout!" Both master and protégé felt their eyes widen in shock. Yoruichi took charge.

"Soifon, gather the Special Forces! You two! Go to Captain Unohana and tell her to prepare the hospital staff for the injured!"

Soifon looked at her and asked, "And what will you do?"

The second division leader narrowed her eyes. "I'll warn Captain Yamamoto. I'm the fastest one here." She vanished, wasting no time. The three understood as they too disappeared.

Yoruichi moved as fast as she could go. "And if I'm not mistaken, Naruto told me that he had to go on that trip today…" Worry began to set in as she took to the rooftops. Her mind wondered on the safety of Naruto, hoping that he was surviving. She banished the thoughts away, focusing to get to her destination.

She had to get out there as soon as possible.

Many of the shinigami students were almost at the gate, most of the hollows going back to the large source of reiatsu. The leader of the shinigami guarding the students directed the students back to the gate. The instructor phased in, watching the spectacle in shock.

"Do you know whose reiatsu signature that is?" The group leader asked.

The teacher dodged another hollow's claw swipe, recognizing the reiatsu energy. "Uzumaki…Uzumaki Naruto!" He replied as he stabbed the hollow in its face before it dispersed in a black mist. The answer shook the frontrunner of the protecting shinigami.

"To think such a child holds that much already…" The shinigami thought in shock as he began to focus on the impending masses before him. He readied himself as he took on a strong stance. "We need him to last for about twenty more minutes to collect all of the students. I hope he can survive for that long…"

Naruto was a blur to the hollows around him, flying through with no pattern to kill any monster in his path. He had taken a many strikes at this point, the blood flowing freely. The shinobi grimaced as he gave a vertical slash, cutting a hollow in half. "These hits are beginning to add on." He killed three more, his horizontal slash taking their lives. "I just need the Menos a little closer before I can use that jutsu…" The shinobi's moves were that of his namesake, going full speed as he cleaved, decapitated, and killed the entire hollow mass within his reach.

A hollow lunged to tackle him, meeting its end like the others before him. Two more attacked from behind and above, becoming more organized in their attack patterns. Naruto noticed the increase of intelligence of their tactics, making him growl in frustration before he felt a claw slash his chest deply. He roared out in agony, immediately killing the perpetrator of the wound. The hollows began to attack even harder, now seeing a weak point to attack at.

The Menos Grande was at the point where the shinobi needed it to put his plan into action. Before he could set up his plan, a red glow made itself known near its mouth. The former sage felt the panic. "A Cero!" He wasted no time, using Shunpo to get away as fast as he could. The Gillian beast roared before blasting the attack, taking out a hefty chunk of the hollow multitude. The shinobi couldn't fully escape as the force of the energy attack caused him to lose his bearings during his Shunpo, slamming back into the earth with his left arm. The limb couldn't handle the blunt trauma between the pressure of the Cero he tried to avoid and the broken debris on the ground, breaking harshly in his forearm and fracturing his shoulder. The former sage winced as a pained cry escaped his lips, continuing his run as he took off via Shunpo again.

Naruto appeared in the air behind it, his left arm bleed rather profusely. The limb was numbing, making the shinobi grimace as he continued his plan. His right hand was opened as a glowing azure orb spun in his hand, expanding. "This has to work..." He said to himseld as he narrowed his eyes from his throbbing arm and determination.

Soifon and the Special Forces had finally arrived, the apprentice making her way to the golden-haired man's location. The Special Forces were to ensure the safety of the students first and foremost before moving on to where their lieutenant was heading.

"Why is a Menos here in the first place?" She questioned to herself as she was making short work of the depleting hollow mass. She saw the colossal monster fire a Cero, prompting her to defeat the mindless creature first. The lieutenant then saw a shinigami student appear above the Menos Grande. "What is that…fool…doing…?" She finally registered who it was. There was only one man she knew with yellow hair like that, even if it was stained with the blood of the hollowed he had killed. Her dark eyes widened in shock. "Naruto…"

Yoruichi flew through the gate and had begun decimating the hollows in her path. She was on her way to meet the monstrous fiend head on before her golden eyes saw the shinobi above it with a strange attack that she had never seen before. "What is he doing?" She asked, feeling a huge sum of power emitting from the former sage.

The shinobi's entire focus was on the Gillian as he outstretched his arm to his right, the large orb spinning furiously. He flew down as fast as he could, intending to kill every hollow in the vicinity.

"Protect those that are close to you…"

He gave a mighty thrust of his arm roaring out, "Oodama Rasengan!" The attack hit the Menos Grande's head, outright expanding by at least four times Naruto's size, erupting in a grand explosion. The debris in the area he destroyed swirled around as if it was in an intense hurricane, angrily storming over the place.

Everyone that witnessed the attack was speechless. Soifon got over her shock first, rushing to make her way to help the ex-human sacrifice. "Naruto!" She couldn't explain it, she just knew that she had to go help him, idiot or not. The petite woman made a beeline to his location, killing all that was in her way in the meanwhile.

Yoruichi had followed her protégé's lead, not wasting time in efforts to reach the shinobi's position. She spared no hollow in her sight as she lived up to her title, ending their lives in a flash. "His reiatsu reserves have to be low after something like that!" She ventured aloud as she beheaded another hollow.

"Just hang on Naruto!"

Naruto gritted his teeth has his body began to protest in his movements of avoiding death. "Damn!" He growled out, feeling fatigue hit him like a ton of cement blocks. He was fighting the remaining hollows around him, which wasn't the problem. No, a rather clever hollow sat at the sidelines and waited before showing itself. Its stature was large as it was intimidating. The serpentine hollow had bulging arms and wicked claws, its long needle-like fangs dripping with venom. The creature hissed as it began its volley of assaults.

Naruto cursed to himself. How the hell did he miss that! He clenched his teeth in frustration. His left arm was numb, his reiatsu was depleted by a hefty sum, and his body was begging for relief. Needless to say, he was on the torture rack at this point.

A claw swiped passed his head as he dodged that attack but then was slashed on his right side. He growled in pain as he killed the hollow before a black fist crashed into his head, blood splurging out upon contact as he flew back. He flipped as he drop-kicked into the hollow he was sent to, destroying the evil being as he lashed out his nodachi in success of killing another oncoming hollow.

The serpent hollow swung its tail and smashed it to the shinobi's right side, breaking two ribs in victory of the strike. Naruto cried out, blood flying from his lips as one of the broken bones punctured his lung. The former sage cut the tail off, making the monster shriek in pain as he backpedaled away from the crying creature.

Soifon and Yoruichi heard the warrior's yell, knowing they were a few feet from him. "Naruto!" The second division captain called in worry, disposing of four more hollows. Soifon was the first to see him, watching him fight back in defiance of his demise. Yoruichi appeared next, beholding the sight of the blood-covered shinigami warring his heart out. Instantaneously, the two violet-haired women rushed in and began to help him, knowing this was the last large group before most of the place would be free of hollows.

"Soifon…Yoruichi…" Kami, he was near-elated to see them. Naruto swung his zanpakuto, ending another life. He knew that the hollows were aiming for his ribs now, not to mention that he still had that nasty wound on his chest from earlier. He was feeling unconsciousness nearing him, already losing a good amount of blood. Narunto ducked another blow to his head as he cut off the hollow's arm before destroying its mask, courtesy of his foot.

The shinobi felt himself fight even further into the hollow mass. "They're trying to separate us!" He yelled in anger. "Someone must be calling the shots from somewhere because they can't be this smart on their own!" The past sage deduced as he tried to move closer to Yoruichi and Soifon.

The shinobi was tripped before he felt a hollow grab him and slam him to the ground, kicking him as he bounced back up. The whisker-cheeked shinigami was grabbed before the hollow slung him up to the air, where the serpent hollow was in mid-stride of swinging its claw take his head off. Yoruichi killed another hollow off as she and her student saw the golden-haired man in the air defenseless as the serpent hollow was moving to kill him. The second division leader knew she couldn't make it... Fear gripped her heart as she screamed, "Naruto!"

Naruto felt his heart beating as he felt like time had slowed. "This can't be it…" His heart beat sounded out. "I had made new bonds…" Another heart beat thumped, adrenaline rushing to him. "I had found my purpose…" The heart beat pumped at its max, raw emotions bombarding him. "I had trained to protect my loved ones!" Rage filled his eyes as he screamed, "I refuse to lose everything again!"

Time seemed to completely stop as he felt himself on soft grass. A gentle breeze blew against his skin. His azure eyes sighted the grassy ruins of Konoha, recognizing where he was. "I'm…here again?" He felt someone behind him, turning to see a familiar woman gazing back at him with a confident gaze. Her purple irises stared back into his, exultant and proud. The shinobi gazed back at the woman, feeling that he met her before. "You again…? Why do you feel familiar to me?" He asked her, knowing he had seen her. With beauty of her caliber, who could forget?

The woman laughed softly, smiling in a captivated manner as she heard his thoughts. "As pleased as I am that you find me beautiful, we must move on as to why you are here, Naruto." The shinobi began to remember as he took to the Konoha ruins once more.

"You were the woman that helped the first time…" She nodded, confirming his thoughts. He moved a step closer. "You're my zanpakuto, aren't you?" A graceful smile adorned her features.

"You are precise with your conclusion." The zanpakuto spirit said, rather pleased that he figured out who she was. Naruto moved closer before he did something that she did not expect…he bowed his head to her.

"I know we don't know each other that well, but please…even if it's just once, allow me to use your power!" The zanpakuto quietly looked at him, her purple eyes taking a piercing quality to them.

"And what will you do with my power?" She questioned, her authority sounding through her voice. The white-haired woman already had a feeling, but she needed to know that his answer was the same during his time of distress.

The shinobi's penetrating azure eyes glared into her own intense violet pair. "I lost everything before. I failed the first time. I can't bare going through that again…" The zanpakuto continued to glower as she posed another question.

"Aren't these feelings of failure rather selfish of you?" His eyes widened in shock, taken aback. She persisted with her questions. "Where is your real drive to protect your loved ones? You just don't want to lose them again to face the pain of being alone, if this is the case."

Naruto's fists began to shake as his righteous anger blazed in fury, his gaze becoming wroth as it was piercing. "I do not want my loved ones to suffer with the loss of everyone as I have." He quietly spoke, his tone carrying more volume than yelling ever could. "I will do whatever it takes to ensure that they do not go through the fate that I ended up with, even if it kills me again…with or without you." The zanpakuto, stared into his eyes, finding convicting truth within its depths. The woman's eyes softened as she moved closer. His eyes eased as he listened to what she had to say.

"That's was what I wanted to hear." She began, continuing her words as her hand tenderly caressed his cheek. "Don't ever lose that resolve." She took her hand away gently. A proud smile graced her feminine visage as she stated, "I will fight with you. You are worthy as my shinigami." Naruto smiled genuinely. The woman smiled in return, sincerely happy that she was his zanpakuto.

The shinobi felt his smile disappear as he had a question he needed to know. "What is your name?"

The woman felt her gaze turn thoughtful as she began to reply, "I've been trying to tell you for quite some time now." She took a breath. "My name is…" Naruto heard it as a whisper.

"Fuujin…" He said softly, raising a beautiful smile from her.

"You heard it…" The shinobi nodded. She moved closer as she embraced him, her lips moving to his ear. "Then repeat after what I say…"

The serpentine hollow felt its claw hit a barrier of some sort, making it cry in anguish as its hand was cut off. Naruto's eyes glowed intensely as he whispered, "Rage along the maelstrom, Fuujin!" Power surged from his being as winds violently surrounded him, making everyone cover their eyes. The smoke cleared swiftly, making Yoruichi and Soifon stare in shock.

In the shinobi's hands were two long swords that hooked forward in a u-shape at its ends. The blade was black as the inside was silver at the sharpened side, having pure white wrappings where his hand held the blade. A crescent-like hand guard was in front of his knuckles for protection. At the end of the zanpakuto was a pointed and sharpened end, another way to finish an opponent.

Soifon stared at the weapons. "Is this his Shikai? " She asked, finding that the blade graceful as it was deadly. Yoruichi was amazed for a moment. "Already gaining your first unlocking…"

Naruto glared at the hollow whose hand was regenerating. He did not speak a word, silently reappearing behind it with his blade in a reverse grip as the zanpakuto's hook was at its neck. The master and student looked on in shock. "Fast…" Soifon whispered to herself as she watched the scene before her.

The creature spoke from fear that its demise was imminent. "W-what are you?" It questioned. Naruto quietly replied as his grip in the new blade tightened.

"Alive." He gave a powerful pull, beheading the hollow swiftly as its blood sprayed upward before it disappeared from its death. The shinobi's eyes were murderous, glaring at all of the stunned hollows before he silently appeared within the center of the mass of hollows. The hollows didn't notice until it was too late…

The onslaught began.

Squad Four had been busy, saving the lives of the injured as almost everyone was almost there. Unohana was working with a more severe case as she noticed that Naruto was still to be admitted. A frown of concern marred her beautiful features as she began to think to herself. "He was right." She gave more orders to save the patient at hand. "I haven't seen you yet, Naruto-kun. Are you still out there?" She placed the thoughts aside as she continued with the patient at hand.

Though, she could not stop the small worry beginning to form in her heart.

Naruto continued to annihilate all of the hollows before him, the ability of wind coming with his strikes. His body was straining to maintain the power rather severely, blood beginning to seep past his lips as the punctured rib was digging further into his lung. "I'm reaching my limit…" He thought as he, Soifon, and Yoruichi were finishing the hollows on their side.

The captain glanced at the shinobi, seeing his movements becoming more reckless and his eyes becoming less focused on his enemies to maintain the hold of his zanpakuto power. "He can't handle his Shikai for much longer…" Soifon had already beaten her to the punch as the smaller woman was near the golden-haired man.

Naruto saw a hollow above the kunoichi-like woman and swung his blade towards it, the wind destroying it. Naruto, as exhaustion was making itself more apparent, grinned foxily. "Damn, that's got some range!" He thought. A hollow swiftly neared him, too close for him to do anything. The former sage tried to guard, still feeling the strike crash into his already fractured left shoulder, breaking it.

He roared in agony as he dropped one of his swords, swinging the other as he killed the hollow. The shinobi used his usable hand and grabbed the other sword he dropped, finding that the weapons could connect. His broken shoulder was shivering slightly before it went into shock, making the pain easier for him to bear.

He saw Soifon forcing her way to him, unaware of the hollow overhead. "Soifon, get down!" The shinobi shouted, seeing her do so with no hesitation. He dove to it, striking horizontally as it blocked. Naruto was surprised before he heard it screech and form a Cero near instantaneously. His azure eyes widened in panic as his blade began to glow an orange-tinged white, the zanpakuto pulling the air around it before heating it from the spiritual pressure it exerted. The creature launched its attack as Naruto lashed out his own.

"Kaze no Nensho!" (Burning Wind) The two attacks clashed fiercely before exploding, the hollow dying as its screams faded. Naruto slammed into the unforgiving ground, bouncing on and off as he tumbled into a halt. His zanpakuto had reverted back into her sealed state.

Naruto struggled to stand as he gripped his nodachi, moving to full height in the midst of the dying chaos. Another hollow appeared before him before its life was dismissed just as quickly with a horizontal strike. Yoruichi appeared in next to him, worried over seeing his bloody form.

"Naruto! You've sustained too much damage! It's time for you to retreat!" The golden-haired man did not respond, moving past her as he dodged two hollow swipes before ending their existence.

She began to grow frustrated as she grabbed his right shoulder and spun him around. "Naruto, do you hear me!" Her eyes widened as she finally saw the dull glaze in his eyes.

"He's…unconscious…" She concluded, shocked that he had pushed himself that hard to continue the battle. The second division captain steeled herself, her anger beginning to burn.

"Soifon!" In no time, her apprentice appeared. "Yes ma'am!" The small shinigami called, seeing her master walk forward with her head low.

"Though he's standing, he's unconscious. Take Naruto to the hospital as fast as you can…" Yoruichi commanded softly, her reiatsu level rising at a rapid rate.

Soifon looked at Naruto who stood while tightly clutching his zanpakuto. Soifon gave a softer glance at the man before she reappeared behind him and hit a pressure point, relaxing his body as it dropped to the ground. She lifted him up in a piggyback style, quickly adjusting to his weight before she took off at maximum speed. The protégé of the second division captain flew by everyone, not even stopping for a scarce hollow near the gate area as it was killed by the Special Forces.

Soifon felt her concern grow as she neared the gate. She abruptly moved the side to dodge a hollow being destroyed. Naruto coughed up blood as his face was contorted in pain. Soifon was startled by the sudden action. She turned to see that the hollow she dodged had hit an open wound of his. She growled in anger at herself. "Dammit!" She berated before her worry began to take over. "Hang in there, Naruto..." She finally entered the portal, going into the Soul Society.

Yoruichi glared at the hollows before her, finalizing the preparation of her technique. "You will all pay for what you've done, you bastards…" Her reiatsu turned white as it flowed like lightning from her body, flying everywhere. Her eyes narrowed as she willed the power to her control. In an instant, the remaining crowds of hollows were being destroyed, their screams drowning the power surge of her reiatsu. Five minutes later, their cries were silent.

Yoruichi deactivated her technique. "Shunko..." She whispered, taking a breather. "I still have to work on its control…" She vanished, making it to the gate in about a quarter of the time faster than her protégé.

She stopped at the company leader for the Special Forces that she brought."How much longer until the team finishes?" She asked.

The man bowed before answering, "Sir! About ten more minutes until this place is completely secured!"

She nodded in approval. "After finishing here, return to your posts at the home base." The man saluted.

"Sir!" The ninja-like man vanished, intent on carrying out his orders. Yoruichi wasted no time and sped off, making her way through the gate.

"Naruto…"

Soifon made it to the medical division where things were finally toning down. With urgency, she called out, "Captain Unohana!" The woman in question looked at the entrance, seeing Soifon before the second-in-command phased in front of her. "Please! Naruto is badly wounded!" The fourth division captain's eyes widened in shock as she recognized the bloodied hair of shinobi that the lieutenant carried on her back.

The staff was already behind the assassin lieutenant, gently grabbing the man from her grasp as they laid him on a stretcher. Unohana looked at Soifon with determination in her eyes. "I will do my absolute best! Thank you for bringing him to me!" The captain didn't wait for a reply as she immediately set out to work on her latest patient.

Soifon walked away, deciding to wait for her superior outside. About seven minutes later, Yoruichi landed in front of her. "Captain Unohana has him?" Soifon nodded, softly gazing at her mentor.

"He was in pretty bad shape. He had a deep wound on his chest amongst many other injuries." She looked away. "Personally, it a wonder how he managed to fight as long as he did..."

The second division captain felt the same, his bloodied form at the forefront of her mind. "He fought until he lost consciousness and even then, his body was trying to continue in the absence of his mind…" She said, amazed of his willpower to persevere.

"From the little that we did see, Naruto was fighting like he was in a war…" Soifon commented, her perspective of him beginning to grow. "Like he had everything to lose… He even went as far as unlocking his Shikai, which was powerful from the beginning…"

Yoruichi agreed with her, adding her own opinion in. "I'm sure if he wasn't so injured his control would have been better." Both nodded, going into silence for a moment.

"Excuse me, Lady Yoruichi?" The said woman paused in her thoughts to listen to her pupil. "Do you have any idea what technique he used when he destroyed that Menos Grande?" The captain thought about the strange, but deadly technique. She shook her head.

"No, he's never shown me that technique before. I heard him shout the technique, but I couldn't hear the name from the hollows screaming at the time." Her golden eyes looked into the setting sun. Part of her wanted to know what else he hid from them, but the larger part was the concern for his health. She began walking to her division with Soifon along side her, a small frown on her feminine features as her thoughts remained on the hospitalized blond shinobi.

At the real world, the Special Forces had finished taking care of the hollow infestation. "Alright men! Lady Yoruichi wants us to return to our posts at the home base! Have any of you found the cause of the hollow breach?" None of the men did, shaking their heads as a negative.

"No sir, not a trace! We've searched the place dry, yet we found nothing!" One ninja said, speaking for everyone. The leader of the company nodded.

"Understood! To home base, Company!"

Everyone saluted as they cried in unison, "Sir!" They all disappeared from the place.

On the rooftop, three figures stood as they assess the situation. "Well well, we had a hidden factor amongst the students, hadn't we?" One spoke, clearly amused.

Another man spoke, his tone as reserved one. "Yes, he is becoming powerful. Shall I dispose of him sir?" The final man chuckled darkly.

"No…there's something more to that one. We'll keep an eye on him and when the time is right, convince him to our side." The other two nodded as a tear in the air appeared next to them, the first two men going in. The last one looked over the landscape. "You are an interesting one…Uzumaki Naruto…" The man turned away, following the first two as the tear closed behind him.

Four hours had passed, becoming night time in the Soul Society. Unohana had been working nonstop on Naruto since he had been admitted to the hospital. She had finally taken the rib in his right lungs out and done corrective placement, as well as healing the lung. Now she was working on the deep injury on his chest while the staff worked on his broken shoulder. The fourth division captain grimaced. "Perhaps if I would have heeded his warning, maybe things would have turned out differently…" She thought, frown gracing her beautiful face. The claw wound was now in the process of healing, closing up to the point of having no scar.

"Captain, he's stable now." Isane, her lieutenant spoke, sweating from the effort she expended to heal the shinobi.

The long-haired woman nodded in appreciation. "Thank you, Isane. You all go ahead and take a break. I will be there shortly." Everyone looked at the leader with concerned glances.

"Are you sure?" The captain's silver-haired assistant asked. Unohana turned to them and nodded, smiling as she did so. Everyone understood as they left, the lieutenant lingering for a moment. Isane watched her with a soft gaze before she too left the room, closing the door.

Unohana watched the unconscious shinigami in concern. She needed to investigate something without prying eyes. Her hand gently laid on his defined stomach, reiatsu building up inside. She pushed her energy inside and removed her hand, waiting for a moment. Slowly but surely, a tattoo that had a big swirl pattern emerged with writing on the outer layer. "This marking appeared when he was brought here." Her eyes narrowed in worry. "What could this be from?" She sighed, releasing her hold of the reiatsu as she watched the markings disappear.

The fourth division captain stared at the shinobi's vulnerable figure with soft eyes. Her hand touched his cheek in an affectionate manner as she felt his whisker marks. She smiled lightly to herself, finding that he looked rather peaceful in his sleep. The medical captain slid her hand through his wild hair, wishing she could have done something about his current situation.

The blue-eyed captain paused, removing her hand from his person as she realized what she was doing. She stared at him in a quiet manner before she closed her eyes. There was no point in wishing to change the past. She began to walk to the door, halting once more as she looked back at his sleeping form. Her eyes shined with hidden emotions before she walked out, determined to fully heal him after she took a breather.

Naruto awoke slowly, seeing the night sky and the full moon above him. His azure eyes moved to his left, meeting striking purple eyes as he did so. The blond shinigami blinked. "Fuujin?" The woman gave a soft smile.

"Glad to see you awake, Naruto." The shinobi gave a small grin as he slowly sat up.

"It's nice to see that you are alright." The zanpakuto spirit moved closer to him, helping him to a sitting position.

"Thanks." Naruto said, chuckling lightly. "I must be unconscious then, right?"

Fuujin nodded. "You are. You've been here for a few hours now."

The former sage grinned mischievously. "And you watched over me the whole time?"

The woman lightly blushed as her eyes narrowed and her eyebrow twitched, understanding his implications. "Well yes, but there isn't much to do when my shinigami is unconscious."

Naruto narrowed his eyes lightly as a frown was made. "Please, don't speak as if I have ownership over you." She paused as she looked at him, his eyes directly on her.

"While you may be an extension of me, it doesn't mean we are the same people." He looked up for a moment. "Your goals may not be the same as mine. Your dreams and desires may be different from what I want." He gave a sincere smile as he finished, "I see you as my equal…my companion in this new world."

Fuujin held a faint blush on her feminine visage as she smiled warmly. "Thank you…Naruto-kun." The shinobi grinned foxily in return.

"So since I'm out of commission for a while, what does my Shikai do exactly?" The purple-eyed woman felt her gaze became more solemn. "Naruto, before we get into that, there is a more pressing matter at hand…" Naruto could sense her anxiety.

Footsteps were heard to his right, making him turn to see another person in the field. It was a woman, her figure shapely as it was toned. She wore a black battle kimono, crimson flames adorning the wardrobe. Her sash around her waist was white in color, the long untied cloth going down her left side as it blew in the light breeze. Her hair was a dark red, going down to the small of her back in length. Her lips were full and supple, painted red. Her eyes were a fiery crimson with slits for pupils, her gaze subdued as she look at the golden haired man.

Naruto stared back into the woman's crimson eyes as he began to have flashbacks of his past life, all about the nine-tailed fox sealed within him. He looked at her in shock. Of all of the memories he lost, he could never forget those red eyes…

"Kyuubi."

Alright, that's a wrap here. Hope everyone had a great holiday! If not, you have my condolences. And yes, I have read the latest Naruto manga, but tis fanfiction for a reason. It'll be worth it, I promise. Till next time, let me know your opinion of the chapters.

Please review and stay gold.